On D-amino Acids in Baboon Amniotic Fluid

D-amino acids have been identified and demonstrated to have varying biochemical roles within vertebrates and invertebrates. Although found in the natural products of vertebrates, free D-amino acids have been shown to have important physiological roles, such as acting as signaling intermediates in processes such as learning and development. A well-known example of this behavior is shown by D-serine and its modulatory behavior on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. The physiological role of only a few D-amino acids has been elucidated. To further identify additional D-amino acids and potential roles in physiological processes, we are investigating the presence of free proteinic amino acids and their D-amino acid counterparts in baboon amniotic fluid throughout the typical gestational period. Potentially providing information regarding the relevance of D-amino acids during prenatal development. The separation of free amino acids in amniotic fluid was carried out in a 2-dimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography set-up. Subsequent D-amino acid analysis was carried out in the second-dimensional chiral phase. Both analyses leveraged the use of 6-Aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate (AQC) pre-column derivatization. Future studies will be aimed at the analysis of D-amino acids in additional physiological fluids.